Former Democratic Suffolk Legis. Steve Stern will square off against Republican Janet Smitelli, a Huntington attorney, in a special election for the 10th Assembly District seat vacated by Republican Chad Lupinacci when he took office Jan. 1 as Huntington Town supervisor.

Republican Doug Smith, former GOP Assemb. Al Graf’s longtime aide, will face local union leader Peter Zarcone, a 12-year member of the Suffolk Industrial Development Agency, in a special 5th Assembly District contest after Graf exited to become a District Court judge.

Democrats chose their candidates in a meeting Saturday, while Republicans made their picks in a convention Monday. The special elections are scheduled for April 24.

Smitelli, 56, was selected over Rob Conte, brother of the late Assemb. James Conte. John Jay LaValle, Suffolk GOP chairman, said Smitelli polled well, has strong community ties and Lupinacci’s strong support. Smitelli ran unsuccessfully for Suffolk County Legislature in 2013.

LaValle said Stern was “responsible for higher mortgage fees, red light camera fines” and the five-cent fee on shopping bags enacted by the legislature’s Democratic majority.

Suffolk Democratic Chairman Richard Schaffer said Stern’s record, particularly on senior citizen and veterans issues, is “well known to the local community.” Also, “as a member of the Assembly majority,” Stern would be “able to deliver more for the district than a minority Republican,” said Schaffer.

Of LaValle’s comments, Schaffer said, “It’s the same line LaValle has used for seven years. The public doesn’t buy it.”

Stern, 49, of Dix Hills, was term-limited at year’s end after 12 years in office. He made a bid for Congress in 2016, but came in second to Tom Suozzi in a five-way Democratic primary. Suozzi won the general election.

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